Wang Jiankun, a folk artist of Hui Opera, visited Gaoxin Middle School attached to USTC (the University of Science and Technology of China) on Feb 21 to help students learn more about this national intangible cultural heritage.

Students from the Gaoxin Middle School attached to USTC try their hand at painting face masks used in Hui Opera. [Photo/xuexi.cn]

Wang enjoyed in-depth exchanges with the students as they discussed the history of face painting in Hui Opera and he explained the specific process involved, including choosing the right materials, making the molds, and outlining and coloring them.

Yang Quan (L), executive vice principal of Gaoxin Middle School attached to USTC, appoints Wang Jiankun (R) as an instructor of Hui Opera. [Photo/xuexi.cn]

Wang Jiankun, along with members of the Zhang Zhiliang Art Education Master Studio Team in Hefei and art teachers from the school also exchanged ideas about protecting and inheriting intangible cultural heritage items, such as the integration of sand painting and traditional culture.

Hui Opera is one of the most important genres of Chinese opera that is local to Anhui province. Peking Opera drew inspiration from it as it evolved, and in fact many local opera genres in southern China have a historical relationship with it. In 2006, Hui Opera was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage items.